Ice-skating has finally reached in the eastern suburbs at Ice Zoo, Alexandria! So if you're looking for a cool change, grab yourself a pair of skates and head out onto the ice for a few hours of fun. Great for adults and kids both big and small (and especially fussy teenagers!), the rink features disco lighting, and plenty of upbeat tunes to get you skating like pro.

During school term, sessions are generally one-and-a-half hours long, but during school holidays they have longer, 3-hour sessions (perfect for really getting a feel for the ice) I headed to the ice during school holidays with Miss Five for a 1pm session. The ice was not crowded, and we had plenty of space to skate (which was a real joy, as you always expect everywhere to be overcrowded during school holidays)! It was lovely to see that they also had an 'expert' skater roaming the ice, offering technique advice, helping skaters if they fell over and couldn't get up, and watching out for the smaller kids. A medic is also on hand (we found this out first-hand after Miss Five bumped her chin!)

Ice Zoo also features a café serving up a variety of counter-style food, coffees and lollies for the kids (they need the sugar after they've burned all that energy, right?) Parking was an absolute breeze, with on-site parking and also plenty of untimed street parking along Gardeners Road.

Family Friendly Skating The smallest members of the family are well catered for at Ice Zoo! Ice Zoo states there is no minimum age for skaters, and while skate sizes start at a child's size 9, they also offer a double-runner option which straps over your child's own shoes, allowing even the littlies to experience the magic of ice skating.

In addition, Penguins can be hired (for an additional $8). These are push-along aids to help kids balance on the ice.

Miss Five was hitting the ice for the first time, and I found the Penguin to be a very worthy investment. Gone are the days where you have to do five laps of the ice hanging grimly onto the side of the rink, the Penguin allowed Miss Five to get out into the middle of the ice in no time – I could hardly keep up with her!

Pricing varies from session to session, with costs ranging from $13 on Cheap Skate Wednesday nights, to $20 for adults during most sessions. Children are $10 for 2-4-year-olds, and $18 for 5-15-year-olds. They also have a family pass (2 adults, 2 children or 1 adult 3 children) for $60.

Ice Zoo also offers a Skate and Lunch deal for $30, which includes a skating session and lunch, and a Coffee & Kidz Club runs during the week (Monday to Friday in school term) which includes a free lesson and socialising for $23. Bring your own skates or skate hire is $4 extra per person. Don't forget to hire a Penguin for newbie skaters for $8.

Taking things up a notch
Fancy yourself as a member of the next Torvill and Dean? Or just want to stay on your feet on the ice? Ice Zoo runs a comprehensive program of both classes and free skating during the school term, including figure skating and adult learn-to-skate classes, SK8 FIT, ice hockey, as well as offering live DJ's on some evenings and private ice hire.

Ice Zoo also has party packages for $35 per person and they run a Holiday Skate camp during the NSW school holidays.

Opening Times
Seven days a week, from 6am till late. First public session is generally 9am.

Getting There
Ice Zoo is a state of the art ice rink, located in Alexandria in Sydney's Eastern suburbs, and can be reached by train, bus and private transport. Driving: there's plenty of parking on-site, and also untimed road parking along Gardeners Road, so driving is easy. Train: Ice Zoo is a ten-minute walk from Mascot Railway Station Bus: There are a number of buses which run along Gardener's Road – see Sydney Buses for route information. The 418 Burwood to Bondi bus stops along Gardener's Road near O'Riordan Street.

The Verdict
The verdict from Miss Five: 'Ice Zoo is so much fun Mum, I want to come back tomorrow!'